Whats the difference between a passport book and a. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. While the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things easier. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. What is the difference between a passport book and a. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using form ds82. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. Please contact npic if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. Jun 02, 2018 there are many americans especially based close to borders like those in seattle or new england who hold both a valid passport book and card. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea.
I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados.
Do you need to get both a passport book and card to travel. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. The passport card is only good for land and sea border crossings to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. There are many americans especially based close to borders like those in seattle or new england who hold both a valid passport book and card. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel.
Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. We can send your passport book via a 12 day delivery service. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport book is valid for all international travel. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card.
Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more.
I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. The state department doesnt offer discounts to travelers who apply for both, though, so expect to pay full price for each document. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. If you already have a passport book and you are eligible to use form. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply for your new passport card with the government in person and you will need to file form ds11. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book.
Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. You will be required to submit your expired passport bookcard with your application. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the.
We only send the passport card via first class mail. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. It is meant to be a lowercost, wallet sized alternative to the passport book for people who live near the border and cross it frequently. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. To renew a childs passport bookcard you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this.
If you dont mind the expense, you may opt for both the passport book and the passport card. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. You can also apply for both a passport card and book if you need both. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport.
One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then.
Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. First, can you have both a passport and a passport card at the same time. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. In fact, on the ds11 application to renew or get a passport, at the top you can select whether you are applying for a passport book with pages for foreign visa entryexit stamps, visas, etc.
The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. You may receive your newlyissued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Passport service guide for requirements, instructions and tips for expediting american passports as quickly as the same day.
Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. It says i need to submit both documents at the same time if im renewing both, but doesnt say if its required to renew. What is the difference between a passport book and. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.